CALISTOGA >> Upper Lake trailed only 6-0 after three quarters, the closest the Cougars have been to any opponent that late into a game all season, but the Calistoga Wildcats made sure Upper Lake”s long losing streak would carry over to 2015 with a 12-0 victory on Friday night in the North Central League II and season finale for both of these varsity football teams at Calistoga.
Calistoga (2-4, 2-8) has Upper Lake (0-6, 0-10) to thank for its only two wins of the season. The Wildcats also beat the Cougars 23-12 back on Oct. 18 in Upper Lake in a game that matched two winless teams at that time.
Upper Lake promoted a handful of junior varsity players for the final game of the season because Calistoga”s JV program folded last month. Even with the extra help, Upper Lake coach Frank Gudmundson”s club couldn”t find the the winner”s circle, something the Cougars haven”t done since Oct. 13 of 2012 against a school — St. Elizabeth of Oakland — that no longer fields a football team. They”ve lost 23 in a row since then. Friday night also marked the Cougars” eighth shutout loss in their 10 games this season. Their 18 points in 2014 is the fewest ever scored by a Lake County team.
Upper Lake will get a fresh start next season with a core group of juniors that includes quarterback Nick Newcomb, who made the start against Calistoga.
No statistics were reported to the Record-Bee as of press time.
